INTERVIEW. HEI TIKI. HUIA KOPUA. TE TAITE COOPER. THOMAS TAWHIRI. TE HOKINGA MAI PROJECT.

Huia Kopua, Thomas Tawhiri and Te Taite Cooper talk about the film Hei Tiki.

Kopua discusses the origins and background of the Film Archive and explains the aims of the Te Hokinga Mai project. Discusses Maori material at the Archive. Describes the involvement of The National Services Committee of the Museums of NZ in the Te Hokinga Mai project, mentions The Taupo Museum.

Kopua and Tawhiri speak about the film Hei Tiki by Alexander Markey, shot on the shores of Lake Taupo. Cooper discusses Markey’s background and gives details of the actors.

Kopua describes the role of the Archive in collecting, storing and preserving film material and encourages Maori film deposits. Cooper discusses the dangers of storing nitrate film. Kopua explains the copyright issues of all Film Archive material. Goes on to mention Weekly Reviews and the Pictorial Parade. Thomas Tawhiri discusses the film and gives a brief synopsis, gives reference to Hollywood films of the time. Kopua mentions Under the Southern Cross.

Cooper and Kopua discuss how to preserve video tapes. Tawhiri and Kopua gives details of the upcoming screenings as part of Te Hokinga Mai. Kopua discusses the repatriation of Hei Tiki from the Washington Library of Congress. Discussion on the documentary on Adventures in Maoriland made by Geoff Steven in 1985. It recalls history of Markey and the making of Hei Tiki. Mention Ranginui Biddle, son of actor of Ben Biddle speaking prior to the screening of Hei Tiki.

A caller enquires about the potential accessibility of these Maori films. Kopua mentions contemporary Maori Taonga Utu, Patu! and Mauri. Kopua discusses the VACCESS projects which will make the material accessible. Kopua and Cooper give tribute to their sponsors, the Archive’s kaumatua and the preservation staff at The Film Archive.

Broadcast 12/02/1996.